About New Bern's Historic Downtown District

Downtown New Bern, NC Tour: A Runner's Perspective

Runners usually have a couple of favorite routes that they enjoy running/walking, that have certain distances, conditions, safety levels etc.  Sometimes you just want to mix it up a bit and not see the same thing every day.  I'm that way as a runnner.

Since New Bern, NC has lots of visitors that come in for the week-end or for a look around, I thought my favorite downtown route might be of interest to someone who is looking for a good route that shows most of the beautiful downtown area of New Bern.

The only problem with the video is it kind of long, 14 minutes.  In the time it took me to drive the first 2 miles some young kid could probably come close to running it.  The irony of middle age, running and driving!

Anyway if you'd like to see historic downtown New Bern from a runners perspective, check out the video..I think it's a great route.  Always practice safety and run with a buddy in areas you don't know, don't try to set any records and enjoy the view.

If you are a runner you might want to check out this site:  The Neuse River Bridge Run

If you are coming to New Bern here some great places to stay:

And the route video: 

New Bern has the distinction of being the first capital of North Carolina and is the second oldest town in the state. Governor William Tryon had "Tryon Palace" constructed between 1767-1770. Tryon Palace was the first state capital building but was destroyed by fire in 1798. The current Tryon Palace was rebuilt on the orginal site using the orginal plans. The plans were located in England, and the re-construction was started in the early 1950's.

Tryon Palace attracts one hundred thousand visitors plus each year and had events for locals and tourist year round. The major attraction in my opinion is the Centuries of Celebrations which usually runs for the month of December. You can find out more about Tryon Palace and upcoming activities at www.tryonpalace.org

Last week I had the pleasure of showing homes listed for sale in the downtown historic district of New Bern. It was picture perfect weather, a"bluebird" kind of day!

The first stop was the John Horner Hill House located on Pollock Street, not far from Tryon Palace. This home was built somewhere between 1770-1780. It is an example of Georgian architecture.

Another house visited was the Richardson House, built around 1920. It was a wedding present to Robert A. Richardson's daughter from her father and mother.

We also visited Stanley Hall, which was built somewhere around 1874. The second story was our point of interest, as it has been demo'ed and approved for conversion to condo's.

Stanley Hall has been a dance hall, court room and gymnasium at various times. This place is cavernous on the inside. This L-shaped structure faces Pollock Street and Craven Street.

The highlight of the day was the Dr. Edward F. Smallwood House. This home exhibits Federal period architecture on the exterior and Federal/Greek Revival influences on the interior. It has a side hall floor plan of the Federal period similar to the Issac Taylor house but then the Greek Revival influences are noted. Marble fireplaces, plaster cornices, wainscotings and plaster ceiling medallions are still there. In the gable ends you can see Palladian windows. She is a proud lady, but is in need of a lot of work.

I went back after the tour and tried to imagine what the owners through the years had witnessed and lived through, from the Civil War to recent occupants.

If you are interested in acquiring historic properties in New Bern, please contact me and we'll walk through history together on a sunny, afternoon.

The Downtown Historic area saw ten homes sell in the last twelve months, through Feb 29, 2008. Median sales price $200,000, Average price $198,000. Average days on market 131.

$40-0-59K 2

$140-159K 3

$160-179K 1

$200-249K 2

$300-399K 1

$400-499k 1

Prices can range from 30,000K to upwards $1 million for large waterfront homes.

Riverside district last twelve months: 9 homes sold Median sell price $165,000, Average price $160,722. Average days on market 114.

80-999K 1

$120-139k 3

$160-179K 2

$200-249K 3

Prices can range from around 40K to high 200K depending on condition

Informational purposes only from local MLS. Deemed reasonable NOT guaranteed.

New Bern North Carolina currently has 4 designated historic districts.

The largest, the downtown district consists of a 56 square block area entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This area is subject to locally designated exterior alteration control measures through the Historic Preservation Commission.

At least 60 structures have been saved from the wrecking ball by efforts of the New Bern Preservation Foundation. These historically significant properties were purchased by the Preservation Foundation and resold to individuals for restoration.

Riverside is another area subject to oversight by the Historic Preservation Commission. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Riverside started being developed in the late 1890's. Originally this was a mixed -use development with folks working where they lived. You will find commercial and residential properties within close proximity of each other. The New Bern Preservation Foundation has been very active in taking measures to help restore this community.

Ghent Historic District was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. This neighborhood contains bungalow and cottage-type homes from the early 1900's on. You can even find a "store bought" prefab home in this neighborhood that dates to the period. Ghent is very convenient to "old" and "new" New Bern. It has one of the prettiest streets in town to me, Spencer Avenue.

The most recent addition to the historical districts is DeGraffenried Park. This area was named after the founder of New Bern. This area was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Platted in 1926 this area contains examples of pre-Depression and post World War II architecture. This area is very pretty in the Spring.